Braves' Turville out to 'earn' ring

BOUNTIFUL — Of all the state championship rings made following Bountiful's 4A triumph last year, Mason Turville's is still the shiniest. While some of his teammates' rings are nicked and scratched, Turville's is still in pristine condition.

How has Turville maintained his ring's mint condition? It's simple, really. He's never worn it.

"It's just sitting on my dresser in a box with the lid open," said Turville, a starting safety for Bountiful.

Deep down, Turville doesn't feel like he earned his championship ring — even though the blown ACL he suffered midway through last season was out of his control. He watched his teammates celebrate last year's championship from the sideline while leaning on a cane. When he and his teammates were presented with their championship rings, Turville decided he'd wait until he "earned" his own ring.

That moment could be Friday at 1:30 p.m. when Bountiful faces Logan in the 4A state championship at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

"I put in a lot of work to get back this season," said Turville, whose knee gave out against West on Oct. 11 of last year. He was running a reverse, and when he planted his foot, the knee collapsed.

Despite months of agonizing rehab ahead of him, Turville was determined to help lead Bountiful to a state championship his senior season. To his credit, he was ready for the first game of the year against Lone Peak, but he knew he wasn't 100 percent.

"He's played so well this year, but at the first of the year you could tell it was bothering him," said friend Chase Christensen.

By midseason though, Turville and the Braves were on fire. In addition to starting in Bountiful's secondary, he was returning punts again as well.

"Every week he's just got better and better," said Bountiful coach Larry Wall. "Right now he's like a coach on the field."

If Bountiful is going to repeat as state champs, it will need Turville to have an outstanding game against Logan's excellent passing offense. Logan quarterback Ben Macey can throw or pass for touchdowns at any time.

Bountiful's offense plays more of a smash-mouth style, but the Braves can beat you with the run or the pass with quarterback Chase Christensen and running back Casey Simmonds.

The Braves have already beat the Grizzlies once this season, that coming on Aug. 29. In that game, Bountiful rallied from a 21-3 deficit to prevail 28-21.

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E-MAIL: jedward@desnews.com

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Prep football playoffs

Class 5A

Championship Friday

at Rice-Eccles Stadium

Skyline (11-2) vs. Hunter (13-0), 5 p.m.

Class 4A

Championship Friday

at Rice-Eccles Stadium

Logan (8-5) vs. Bountiful (11-2), 1:30 p.m.

Class 3A

Championship Friday

at Rice-Eccles Stadium

Grantsville (9-4) vs. Bear River (12-1), 10 a.m.

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com

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